1. Create the position of New Member Steward

The New Member Steward helps new members know what to expect. You may give this person any title you like, such as Mentor, Guide, or Coach.

TIP: Procedures that might seem obvious to long-time members are not necessarily obvious to new members. Examples:

What is your standard meeting agenda?

What is the procedure for opening and closing your meeting room or using your observing site?

How do members arrange for an observing session with other club members?

Who does a member contact to make suggestions for meeting programs or other activities?

How does the member get club discounts on magazine subscriptions?

Is the member expected to help out in some way at events?

The New Member Steward is available to orient new members and answer their questions.

The Steward:

Sends new members a welcome note, including where to get the information the new member might need.

Orients them regarding club customs and culture, like converting to red lighting inside their car, any procedures regarding use of the club’s observing site or meeting location, and any club projects the new member should be aware of.

Keeps them informed of club events and invites them to join in throughout the first year.

Makes sure they know about the various opportunities your club offers, including outreach and volunteer training.

Tries not to overwhelm them with too much information.

Members feel more a part of the club if they are given an item that identifies them as a member. Some items that clubs provide:

A name badge that includes the member’s name and the club name

A hat with a club logo

A membership card

Many clubs offer club logo items for purchase, like mugs, flashlights, vests, jackets, or shirts

“We provide simple engraved plastic name badges for all our members. It sure helps the newbies … well, it also helps those of us who can’t remember everyone’s name. A local awards and trophy shop makes them.”

Sharing the Universe videos are produced by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP) from research conducted by the Institute for Learning Innovation, the ASP, and from astronomy clubs like yours. www.astrosociety.org/SharingTheUniverse

The Sharing the Universe project is funded by the National
Science Foundation and is supported by the Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL) of the National Science Foundation under Grant Number DRL 0638873. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in the material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.